THE LOOP DRUG CHECKING SERVICE
The Loop provide event-based and community-based drug checking and associated harm reduction services. The Loop also provide specialist training courses in drugs awareness, harm reduction and managing problems in nightlife venues.
Objects
TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH AND PROMOTE THE REDUCTION OF HARM TO THE PUBLIC WHO USEPSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY:A. DRUG CHECKING AND THE PROVISION OF NON-JUDGEMENTAL HARM REDUCTION INFORMATION ANDADVICE TO INDIVIDUAL SERVICE USERS;B. THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON SUBSTANCES OF CONCERN AND ASSOCIATED HARM REDUCTIONINFORMATION AND ADVICE TO PARTNER AGENCIES, STAKEHOLDERS AND WIDER DRUG USINGCOMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING, EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS ANDALERTS;C. TRAINING FOR ORGANISATIONS IN THE EDUCATION, HEALTH AND EVENTS SECTORS IN HARMREDUCTION, DRUGS AWARENESS, RESPONDING TO CRITICAL INCIDENTS AND DELIVERING SUPPORTSERVICES;D. DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING POLICY AND STRATEGIES TO REDUCE DRUG-RELATED HARM ANDPROMOTE HEALTH;E. PARTICIPATING IN ANY OTHER HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE REDUCTION OFDRUG-RELATED HARM IN THE COMMUNITY.F. OPERATING AT ALL TIMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF ENGLAND AND WALES.FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLAUSE, ‘HARM REDUCTION’ MEANS POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND PRACTICES THATAIM PRIMARILY TO REDUCE THE ADVERSE HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE USE OFLEGAL AND ILLEGAL PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the period with a surplus of £28,089 and total unrestricted reserves of £65,699. Per the trustees' report, these free reserves equate to just over seven months of unrestricted expenditure, which exceeds the stated policy target of three months. The charity reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“One employee received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000” — page 24
“One employee received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000” — page 24
“The Trustees recognise that a level of this reserve should be gradually increased to the equivalent of three months’ total expenditure calculated and reviewed annually.”
“During the period £15,454 (inc VAT) was paid to the University of Liverpool for secondment fees for Fiona Measham with the purpose being to engage academic research expertise into The Loop (2024: £15,484). This has been approved by the Trustees and, in line with our Conflict of Interest policy, Fiona Measham did not participate in these discussions.” — page 29
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2025
- Volunteers: 285
- Government income: £52,319 — contracts £52,319 (1); 22% of the £236,101 total gross income on the same return
- Employees paid over £60,000: 1 (£70,001–£80,000: 1)
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for services to the charity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2024
- Volunteers: 160
- Government income: £20,339 — contracts £20,339 (1); 13% of the £161,812 total gross income on the same return
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for services to the charity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2023
- Volunteers: 290
Trustees
- Professor Fiona Meashamchair
- Darren John Knight
- Dr EMILY JANE LUCY FINCH
- Jonathan Paul Drape
- Philip Alan Kolvin KC
- Sarah Dalton
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £236k | £208k |
| 31/03/2024 | £162k | £176k |
| 31/03/2023 | £30k | £64k |
Common questions
Is THE LOOP DRUG CHECKING SERVICE financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the period with a surplus of £28,089 and total unrestricted reserves of £65,699. Per the trustees' report, these free reserves equate to just over seven months of unrestricted expenditure, which exceeds the stated policy target of three months. The charity reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE LOOP DRUG CHECKING SERVICE earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the more than £60,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Funders of similar charities
Charities like this
- ESSENTIAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES
- SURREY DRUG AND ALCOHOL CARE LIMITED
- ROUNDABOUT
- DON’T LOSE HOPE
- CIRCLES NETWORK
- LAW, LEISURE AND LEARNING
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE LOOP DRUG CHECKING SERVICE | £236k | more than £60,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| ESSENTIAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES | £344k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SURREY DRUG AND ALCOHOL CARE LIMITED | £232k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ROUNDABOUT | £605k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| DON’T LOSE HOPE | £301k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CIRCLES NETWORK | £3.0m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |